Species Profile
Common Hatchetfish
Gasteropelecus sternicla
Hatchetfishpeaceful
Adult size
2.5″
Minimum tank
20 gal
Temperature
73–81°F
pH
6–7.5
Schooling
Group of 6+
Water level
top
Diet
Floating flake, surface frozen, small live
Notes
Surface-dwelling living missile, ready to jump at the slightest disturbance. Tight-fitting lid mandatory, with no gaps for them to wriggle through. Catches flying insects in the wild; floating live or freeze-dried food brings out natural behavior.
Photo: Neale Monks / Wikimedia Commons · Source · CC-BY-SA-3.0